Shoe-fastening device



G. A. BENZ SHOE FASTENING DEVICE h Filq Ma 24, 1927 W/ TNEf: INVENTOR:

Patented July 24, 1928.

A UNETED STATES 1,678,241 PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV A. BENZ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOE-FASTENING DEVICE;

Application filed May 24, 1927. Serial No. 193,788.

' Tl'iisinvention relates to shoe fastening means and particularly to a device of fixed size adapted to secure together the uppers of shoes of any size.

The object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and substantially breakproof shoe fastenerv that presents a neater appearance than laces or similar means now employed, and causes no difficulty in fastening as is encountered in the use of buttons.

A feature of the invention resin-es in the provision of a gripping device for adjustably securing a strap or the like to an edge of the upper.

A further feature provides for arranging to tighten said strap whereby it will hide the device.

Another feature contemplates easy removal of the fastening means and replacement with means of different design or color, without the necessity of removing or altering the gripping devices or their position.

Other objects and features will be apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying. drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe equipped with my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section through a portion of the upper, showing the preferred manner of mounting an eyelet used in tightening the strap.

Figure 3 shows a perspective of one form of gripping device, and

Figure A illustrates a cross-section through the upper of a shoe showing the relation of the strap to the fastening means and the manner of operation.

Considering all figures simultaneously, similar designations referring to similar parts, numeral 5 represents a shoe having upper portions 6 and 7 adapted to be fastened together by straps 8. Straps 8 may be adjustably positioned in gripping devices 9 by raising part 10 thereof, as shown in detail in Figure 3. WVhen part 10 is clamped back in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4, the strap is securely gripped between teeth 11. Due to the position of pivot 12 of the gripping device, an off center leverage is obtained, guarding against accidental opening of the device while gripping the strap.

Th straps are first passed through eyelets 13, and the ends of the straps inserted within the devices 9 to adjust their lengths.

. gripping The devices are then clamped. Upon fitting the shoe, each strap is pulled into tight position, and the snap fastener 1tengaged on its corresponding part 15. tight or loose, their length may beadjusted by shifting within the gripping devices 9. Once set, the devices will remain in proper position during the life of the shoe. The eyelet, gripping device, and snap fastener are so aligned that strap 8 covers the fastener when in fastened position, as illustrated in Figure 1.

I preferably employ a snap fastener having the advantages disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 185,705, filed April 22, 1927.

The straps may be of leather and hence polished with the rest of the shoe. If preferred, they may be of ribbon or other material and have cut faces or color designs to meet the requirements of fashion or manufacture.

' In Figure 4, is shown the relative arrangement of strap 8, clamped within device 9, the surplus length 16, extending beyond the teeth. The strap is slipped through eyelet 13 and fastened by the snap fastener parts 14 and 15. Tongue 17, covering the foot, guards it also against the fasteners, holding the gripping device and eyelet to the leather. If no tongue is used, or if preferred, portion 18 of the gripping device and the underside of the eyelet may be inserted between the leather and lining.

In the adaptation of my invention to la dies" shoes or sandals and the like, it may be desirable to leave out the eyelet 13, and pass the strap or similar fastener through the leather. If the eyelet is used, a washer 19 is preferably employed between the underside of the upper and the clamping portion of the eyelet.

It will be understood that the device of F igure 3 may be made in various sizes to suit shoes designed for different purposes. Any similar contrivance will serve the same purpose, and I do not limit myself to this device nor to any similar device adapted to adjust the length of my tightening straps.

lVhile I have shown a particular combina-' tion for carrying my invention into effect, it will be readily understood that modifications and refinements may be made and other similar combinations employed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the combination or the If the straps are.

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precise construction of the components thereof as set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Means for fastening together the uppers of a shoe comprising a gripping device on one of the uppers, said device having a holding shank between the leather and lining of the upper, a fastening means on said upper, an eyelet in the other upper in alignment with the gripping device and fastening means, the underside of the eyelet being secured between the leather and lining of said second upper, a Washer between the leather I and underside of the eyelet for keeping the eyelet rigidlyin place, the eyelet and gripping device being positioned close together so that a foot may be shielded therefrom by the tongue of the shoe, a strap passing through the eyelet adapted to have one end adjustably positioned Within the gripping device and means on the other end for securing said strap to the fastening means in a position covering the gripping device.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name to this specification. I

GUSTAV A. BENZ. 

